Maybe you've been frustrated when you have to deal with people who are less intelligent than you. You may feel like the one who has to answer questions all the time or take responsibility. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to make up for that shortcoming. However, you can change the way you interact and view them. A few small changes from your side can make it easier for you to deal with less intelligent people.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Be Polite
Step 1. Don't challenge it
One of the mistakes you can make when dealing with someone who is less intelligent is to let them know that you think they are stupid. This will only make him angry, which means he won't listen to you. If you want to communicate effectively, never say you think he's stupid (or insult him in some other way).
If you're frustrated with someone who doesn't seem to understand something, try asking what you can do to help them understand instead of insulting them for their lack of ability. For example, you might say, “You seem to have a hard time understanding this math problem. Want help?"
Step 2. Look for the advantages
Everyone has their strengths, so try to focus on their talents. Maybe he's less intelligent than you, but more sociable or can type faster. Recognizing that all of these skills are important and valuable will help you to appreciate others more.
Encourage him by pointing out his strengths and praising him even if he struggles with other things. For example, you might say, "I know you're having a hard time getting used to computer systems, but you're really good at dealing with customers today."
Step 3. Show empathy
No matter what you think about other people, you should always treat them the way you want to be treated. You have to be kind and respectful regardless of your opinion of someone to make it easier for you to fit in.
- If you have a hard time empathizing, try seeing the world through that person's eyes. This can help you recognize his unique talents and appreciate how difficult it is for him to have to deal with smarter people.
- Don't start an argument even if you're absolutely sure he's wrong. It will only go to waste and make you more frustrated. If you feel compelled to express your views, consider saying something like, “I think _, but your idea is interesting too,” not “You're wrong. Should be _”
Step 4. Think carefully before reporting this problem
Sometimes the best option is to say nothing about someone's lack of intelligence even if you are forced to work with them. Make sure you really consider whether reporting the situation would be profitable or not.
- If this person is your co-worker, make sure you think about how your boss will react to your comments before reporting. If you believe that the negative reaction is worth the risk, make sure you approach the matter by talking about specific facts, not personal opinions.
- If he or she is your schoolmate and has to work with you on a project, talk to the teacher the same way you would as an employee talking to a boss, just talk about facts.
- You might say, “I noticed that X was having a really hard time operating the computer system, and that was really slowing down the team. The average team completes 15 tasks while X only completes six or seven. I think he needs training or maybe he should be given another job."
Part 2 of 3: Helping Him Learn
Step 1. Adapt to the learning style
Everyone learns differently, and it's easy to quickly assume that someone is less intelligent simply because their learning style is different from yours. Instead of jumping to conclusions, try asking how they learned and tailoring your approach to the person's preferences.
- Some questions you can ask to determine their learning style include: “What do you think is the easiest way to keep up with the progress of this project? Do you have a list? Chart? Can you work well with a recorder?”; “If you don't know the spelling of a word, how do you know it? Did you say the word, write it down to see if it was correct, or write it in the air with your finger?”; “What is the best way for you to find out new information? By taking notes, repeating the information, or doing it all yourself? Do you remember things better by reading or by hearing from other people?”
- You can also use your own observations. For example, have you noticed that he moves restlessly and does not focus when sitting and working, but is focused and happier when performing tactile tasks and using his hands? Does he like to talk but seem reluctant to read information?
- For visual type, use charts, tables, cards, checklists, and written notes.
- For audio types, use conversation, recording, and mnemonic tools.
- For kinesthetic and tactile types, use role play and practical experiments.
Step 2. Encourage him to ask questions
If you want to help him learn, you have to make him feel comfortable asking questions. If he feels intimidated by your superior intelligence, he may be embarrassed to show his lack of knowledge by asking questions, and that will prevent him from learning anything new. Make sure this doesn't happen by always showing that you are willing and able to answer questions and that you will not judge.
If you're explaining something long, consider stopping periodically and asking if you have any questions. It's easier to ask at the point where understanding stops than to wait until the other person has finished explaining at length
Step 3. Give it time
There are some people who take longer to get used to a new environment, especially if they feel that everyone else is smarter. If you're dealing with a less intelligent person at school or at work, treat her casually and give her a little extra time to make her feel comfortable. You may find that he can make a significant contribution once you get used to it.
A good attitude can help newcomers adjust more quickly. If you see a newcomer falling behind, consider saying, “I'd be happy to help if you'd like. Our system is confusing for people who are not used to it.”
Step 4. Help him discover his strengths
Sometimes people aren't really sure what they do well and what they don't. If you have to work with people who seem unintelligent due to a lack of competence in a particular area, see if you can think of one way to assign another task. For example, if you are working on a research project and this person is not good at collecting data, try suggesting that you complete the data collection while he or she analyzes it. You may find that he is more competent at the new task.
Propose swap positions in the best possible manner. It may be more helpful to simply express that you're happy to have the opportunity to try the task he's working on, so you don't risk offending him by saying that his work isn't true
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Judgmental Judgment
Step 1. Realize that physical limitations don't necessarily mean low intelligence
People may talk differently, move differently, or don't speak at all even if their intelligence is average or above average. Just because a person talks very slowly or avoids eye contact, doesn't mean he or she is any less intelligent.
Some people with physical limitations do have intellectual limitations. Some don't. Rather than assuming, it is better to know them personally and accommodate their needs
Step 2. Know the hidden difficulties of high intelligence
While intelligence is generally good, there are also benefits to having low intelligence, so don't label people who are less intelligent as useless. For example, less intelligent people tend to be more efficient than intelligent people, perhaps because they are better able to concentrate on one task for longer periods of time. Less intelligent people can also work harder than smarter people because they are used to studying harder in school.
Step 3. Consider your own shortcomings
Before concluding that someone is less intelligent than you, think for a moment. You may find that the problem is with you, not him.
- It's a mistake to assume that someone is less intelligent just because he or she doesn't seem to understand your request or direction. The problem may be in the way you communicate. Maybe you have in-depth knowledge of a subject that he doesn't know much about. Maybe you're speaking too highly of him because you assume he has the same basic knowledge as you. While advanced science is easy for you, the person you are talking to may have a hard time understanding scientific concepts, but they are very good at communicating. Try to simplify the way you communicate and don't assume that what's clear to you is obvious to everyone else.
- People whose intelligence is less than average tend to rate themselves as average or even above average. This means that you are more likely to have a higher perception of your own intelligence than that of your peers. Consider this before deciding that other people are stupid.
Step 4. Stop trying to prove the superiority of your intelligence
Even if you are smarter than the people around you, you will not benefit from constantly showing off that intelligence. Such an attitude is not only annoying, but also prevents you from achieving success. Try to view your intelligence as lower than you think, and you may find it easier to fit in with others and move up the career ladder faster.
Step 5. Take this as a lesson
If you have to work with less intelligent people and there's nothing you can do to avoid them, it's a good idea to make the most of the situation. Learning to work well with difficult people is a special skill, so try to view this situation as a rewarding experience for you.
- Keep in mind that complaining about an unintelligent classmate or coworker will drain your energy and may make you feel even more uncomfortable in the situation, so it may not be worth it.
- Don't let your low view of him show. If your coworker knows that you don't like him, he won't like you either, and that will only make your job more difficult.
Tips
- Don't confuse knowledge with intelligence. Just because someone doesn't know something you think they should, doesn't mean they're any less intelligent.
- Don't underestimate people who seem less intelligent. Once you get to know him, you may find that he has deep knowledge in a particular area.
- Don't put other people down because you think you're smarter. It will do nothing and will only make it harder for you to work with other people.
